The Great Gatsby

 This blog task is given by Barad Dilipsir. 

. Symbolic Significance of the Book Cover

The original cover of The Great Gatsby, designed by Francis Cugat, features disembodied eyes and lips floating above a cityscape, with a tear descending from one eye. This imagery is often interpreted as symbolizing the omnipresent gaze of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg's billboard within the novel, representing the moral and ethical oversight in the story. The melancholic expression of the eyes may reflect the pervasive sense of longing and loss experienced by the characters, particularly Gatsby's unattainable desire for Daisy. The cityscape below suggests the setting of the novel and the era's materialism. This cover art encapsulates themes of vision, desire, and the moral decay underlying the American Dream.

Jay Gatsby's Character in The Great Gatsby

1. Self-Made Man & Pursuit of the American Dream

   • Born as James Gatz, Gatsby reinvents himself to escape poverty.
   • Becomes wealthy through bootlegging and other illegal activities.
   • Symbolizes both the success and corruption of the American Dream.

2. Idealistic & Romantic Dreamer

   • Obsessed with recreating the past and rekindling his love with Daisy.
   • Believes in the power of dreams and the possibility of rewriting history.

3. Mysterious & Enigmatic Personality

   • Rarely shares personal details; different rumors circulate about his past.
   • Hosts extravagant parties but remains a distant figure to most guests.

4. Tragic Hero & Flawed Character

   • His relentless pursuit of an unattainable dream leads to his downfall.
   • Fails to see that Daisy is not the perfect woman he imagines her to be.

5. Symbol of Hope & Illusion

   • The green light at Daisy’s dock represents his endless hope.
   • Lives in an illusion, refusing to accept the reality of social divisions.

6. Contrast with Tom Buchanan

   • Unlike Tom (Old Money), Gatsby (New Money) lacks social acceptance.
   • His wealth is flashy and newly acquired, making him an outsider.

7. Loyal & Devoted but Naïve

   • Takes the blame for Myrtle's death to protect Daisy.
   • Trusts people like Daisy and Nick but is ultimately betrayed.

8. Victim of Society & Fate

   • Used by Daisy and abandoned when he needs her the most.
   • His tragic end highlights the moral decay of the wealthy elite.

Gatsby's character embodies the beauty and tragedy of the American Dream—his relentless pursuit of success and love makes him admirable, but his inability to accept reality leads to his downfall.

3. Faithfulness of Luhrmann's Film Adaptation to the Original Novel

Baz Luhrmann's 2013 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby takes creative liberties while striving to remain faithful to the novel's core themes. The film captures the opulence and extravagance of the Jazz Age through its vivid visuals and modern soundtrack, aiming to convey the novel's commentary on excess and the American Dream to contemporary audiences. However, some critics argue that the film's stylistic choices overshadow the subtlety of Fitzgerald's prose and the novel's nuanced social critiques. Despite these differences, the adaptation endeavors to portray the tragic trajectory of Gatsby's pursuit of an unattainable ideal and the moral decay of the era.

4. Symbolic Significance of the Green Light and the Billboard of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg

• The Green Light: Situated at the end of Daisy Buchanan's dock, the green light symbolizes Gatsby's aspirations and his relentless pursuit of an idealized future with Daisy. It represents hope, dreams, and the elusive nature of the American Dream. Gatsby's fixation on the green light reflects his desire to transcend his past and achieve a perfect future, a quest that ultimately proves futile.

• The Billboard of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg: The billboard featuring the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg overlooks the desolate Valley of Ashes and serves as a symbol of omnipresent judgment and the moral decay of society. The eyes are often interpreted as representing the eyes of God or a higher moral authority, observing the ethical lapses of the characters, particularly in a world consumed by materialism and hedonism.

5. Themes of the American Dream and Class Conflict in the Novel

The Great Gatsby critically examines the American Dream, illustrating how it has been corrupted by rampant materialism and the pursuit of pleasure. Gatsby's rise from poverty to wealth embodies the traditional American Dream, but his involvement in dubious activities to achieve success highlights the moral compromises that accompany such ambition. The novel also delves into class conflict, depicting the stark divide between the established aristocracy (Old Money) and the newly rich (New Money). Characters like Tom and Daisy Buchanan epitomize the Old Money class, exuding entitlement and disdain for those outside their social sphere, while Gatsby represents New Money, whose ostentatious displays of wealth fail to secure him genuine acceptance among the elite. This tension underscores the rigid social stratification and the illusion of social mobility, revealing the American Dream's inherent flaws.

References :

Marius Bewley, "The Great Gatsby: The Novel as a Problem in American Culture," The American Scholar.

Matthew J. Bruccoli (ed.), F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby (Introduction, pp. xi-xii).

David H. Ulin, The Lost Art of Reading: Why Books Matter in a Distracted Time (analysis on Gatsby's persona as a symbol of mystery).

Irving Howe, "The World of the Great Gatsby," The New Republic.

Scott Donaldson, F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Biography (on symbolism of the green light).

Edward A. Tuckerman, "F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby," Explicator.

Marius Bewley, "The Great Gatsby: The Novel as a Problem in American Culture," The American Scholar.

Thank you....